Work starts on protected cycle route on Westminster Bridge

Work starts next week on a protected cycle route across Westminster Bridge, which includes three bus stop bypasses formerly threatened by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust over safety fears.

Transport for London and St Thomas appear to have come to a compromise over the bus stop bypasses, with the addition of zebra crossings on the cycle tracks to help allay hospital trust staff fears over patient safety, after which the Trust dropped its Judicial Review claim.

The route, which is expected to open early 2018, will include a 1.8m wide protected bike lane linking Waterloo Station with the East-West Cycle Superhighway, and includes the remodelling of the south-side junction of the bridge, with improved pedestrian crossings, new pavements, trees, bike parking and benches.

Work starts on 29 March and Transport for London says it will minimise disruption during construction. Campaigners, however, have raised concerns about delays to the scheme, which was given the green light a year ago following 74 per cent consultation approval.

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “It’s great news that work is about to start to transform walking and cycling facilities at Westminster Bridge. These improvements are going to make a real difference in the area, ensuring the iconic bridge is safer and more pleasant to use.”

“We’ve also been looking carefully at the disruption caused by the construction of previous schemes and I can ensure all road users that we will be working hard to ensure that this is kept to an absolute minimum.”

Transport for London (TfL) says disruption will be mitigated with longer working hours, and the use of new technology allowing integration of temporary traffic signals to the central command, which can react to traffic flows 24 hours a day.